MADISON AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
921 Madison Avenue
(at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212- 288-8920
Fax: 212-249-1466
(at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212- 288-8920
Fax: 212-249-1466
The vintage photograph of the Church House and Sanctuary below provides a charming glimpse into the past when common modern conveniences were unknown. The picture captures the image of the Church House when it towered over its neighbors, portraying the grandeur of the building that has stood at 921 Madison Avenue for nearly a century. The dignified architecture of the facade with its graceful appointments has not been altered since the building was erected – a constant like the Church House itself during a century of remarkable change.
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The Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church Sanctuary and Church House - c. 1940s |
The Church House was built just prior to World War I when the Rev. Henry Sloan Coffin was pastor. During that time the church rolls were increasing dramatically and members actively participated in a number of programs to benefit the immigrant poor. Dr. Coffin brought adults and children from the tenements east of Park Avenue directly to the church to participate in worship and Christian education, often providing Bible lessons in native languages. Recognizing the space constraints for the church’s evangelical and benevolence programs, Edward S. Harkness, a close friend of Dr. Coffin’s and dedicated member of the congregation, purchased the land adjacent to the Sanctuary and eventually funded the construction of the Church House on the site.
While the constancy of the Church House’s exterior has been a blessing, the interior now requires renewal. Nine decades of continuous use and the church’s evolving needs have led to the renovations now underway. To ensure that the Church House remains vital to its community in the twenty-first century, much of its antiquated infrastructure is being replaced and significant portions of the building are being completely reconfigured.
The objective of the current construction echoes Henry Sloan Coffin’s intentions ninety years ago: to create a Church House that can be home to a vibrant, growing Christian community for the century ahead. The renovated Church House will allow numerous opportunities for fellowship and outreach – a place to serve God through witness, nurture and service. Another era of progress and change surely lies ahead, yet the Church House will continue to fulfill the same purpose that it did when it rose in 1915.
Emily Dupree
Director
The 921 Fund: A New Century of Witness, Nurture and Service
MAPC is honored to welcome the Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay, Moderator of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, to lead our adult education ministry and join us in worship on June 25. Dr. Pillay is visiting New York on his way back to South Africa, having just attended the General Assembly of our own Presbyterian Church (USA) as an advisory delegate.
At 9:15 am, Dr. Pillay will teach the morning’s Adult Education offering; his subject will be the history of the Uniting Presbyterian Church and its current role in post-apartheid South Africa and in Southern Africa in general. As many will know, the Christian churches were at the center of the apartheid struggle in South Africa, and the Uniting Presbyterian Church represents hope for the new South Africa, as it is the union of Presbyterian denominations that were previously divided on the basis of race. Please make a special effort to attend this remarkable opportunity to hear from one of the leaders of world Presbyterianism and to learn about how the Presbyterian Church is helping to promote racial reconciliation and Christian unity in Southern Africa. Don’t miss out!
For more information on Dr. Pillay, please follow this link to a news story regarding Dr. Pillay’s role as Ecumenical Advisory Delegate to this week’s General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). http://www.pcusa.org/ga217/newsandphotos/ga06064.htm
After the children’s lesson each Sunday morning, children ages 3 - 8 are invited to go to the Children’s Worship program in the Hood Library, or return to their parents and remain in worship. During the program year September through May, the children are divided into two groups for children’s worship–pre-school and K-Second Grade, but during the summer months we are combining the two groups. While Sarah Lien Finnerty, our Director of Christian Education, is out on maternity leave, Doug Grace and Elisabeth Parrish will be leading the Children’s Worship program. Doug is enrolled at Union Theological Seminary and will be with us next year for his field education placement. Elisabeth will be a senior at the University of Georgia next year and is in New York City doing a journalism internship at the Columbia University Press. Elisabeth has worked with young children’s programs at her home church in La Grange, Georgia. Infants and children under the age of 3 are welcome to go to the nursery, which is in the Phillips Lounge for the summer, while the regular 4th floor nursery is out of commission with the Church House construction. If your child is a young three and would be more comfortable playing in the nursery than attending children’s worship, they are welcome there.
Parish RegisterBaptisms Peter Burns, son of Ed Burns and
*Miriam Cilo Burns Adult BaptismMiriam Cilo Burns New Members Miriam Cilo Burns (Mrs. Ed) Deaths *Alice I. Porter Weddings *Darrell Harris and Katharine Basham |
With the coming of June, July and August, the MAPC “Summer Church Choir” begins, and you’re welcome to join in singing for as many Sundays as you are able. Beginning on June 18 and continuing through to September 3, this is an opportunity for you to brush up on your singing and reading skills. There are no mid-week rehearsals, so the music chosen for these summer Sundays is not as challenging as music sung the rest of the year! Rehearsals take place on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in the choir room in preparation for the 10:30 am worship service. Repertoire includes music from the Italian Renaissance to arrangements of early American folk and hymn tunes. For further details, and to preview the summer choral repertoire at MAPC, see the link to the music section on our website: www.mapc.com. As always, Andrew Henderson is happy to answer any questions you may have about joining us this summer: aeh@mapc.com; 212-288-8920 x267.
The prayer group for parents of teens and young adults will continue to meet in July. We’ll take a break in August and resume meeting every other week on September 6. The group is led by the participants, who take turns choosing scripture readings to reflect on for the two-week interim period, then facilitate the next group meeting. Those who have been attending this group have found that sharing their reflections on the scripture passages and praying together are valuable sources of support and inspiration as they parent their children through the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood. The Parent’s Prayer Group meets from 8 to 8:30 am every other Wednesday in the Phillips Lounge. The remaining dates for the summer are: June 21, July 12, July 26, and resuming on September 6. If you have children who fall within this age range, we encourage you to join this prayer group.
Once again the Mid-Timers will spread their picnic blankets in the park to enjoy dining al fresco, good company and the New York Philharmonic’s concert in Central Park on Tuesday, July 18. A few of us will go early to stake out space, and will provide our cell phone numbers so we can guide you to the spot when you are able to join the group. The concert begins at 8 pm, but the fellowship and dining will start at least two hours before that! Bring some picnic food to share, and a chair if you need it. Please let us know if you’re coming. We need to know how much space to save, who to look for–and we need to give you cell phone numbers to find us! RSVP to Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 or mew@mapc.com.
The MAPC Knitters will continue to meet in June and July, and then take the month of August off. If you are a knitter or crocheter, or would like to learn, please join the knitters in the Hood Library on the third Tuesday morning of the month, June 20 and July 18 from 10:30 to noon. You are welcome to bring your own project, or to knit baby hats and sweaters for the residents of Inwood House, or adult-sized scarves and hats to be distributed by the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter. We recently received a letter from Inwood House thanking us for the crocheted and knitted baby items that they included in their monthly Baby Boutique. The Baby Boutique distributes infant and new mother essentials to resident mothers-to-be, and these hand-made items are greatly appreciated.
Ever dream of hitting the game-winning home run? Ever dream of playing on a team where, win or lose, everyone is having fun, enjoying one another and the game, and really being a team? The MAPC Co-ed Softball Team asks you to join us; this is the 4th season for the Presbytery of NYC’s league. We are always looking for new players and fans. All skill levels are welcomed and everyone gets a chance to play. It’s about fun, fellowship, and enjoying being outside on a Sunday afternoon with friends. Even if you’ve never seen a softball before, join us! After a game or two of rooting us on, surely you will want to join us on the field. If you have questions, please contact Margaret Williamson at the church office, 212-288-8920, and she will put you in touch with team captain Stephanie Nichols.
June 18 at 4 pm: MAPC vs. Second at Central Park, north meadow, field #2
June 25: MAPC is Off
July 2 at 4 pm: MAPC vs. Broadway at Central Park, north meadow, field #2
July 9 at 5 pm: Broadway vs. MAPC at Riverside Park, field #8 (148th Street)
July 16 at 4 pm: MAPC vs. West Park at Central Park, north meadow, field #2
July 23 at 5 pm: West Park vs. MAPC at Riverside Park, field #8 (148th Street)
July 30: Reserved For Make-Up Game
August 6 at 4 pm: All-Star Game at Central Park
August 13 at 4 pm: Westside Playoffs at Central Park
August 20 at 4 pm: Eastside Playoffs at Central Park
August 27 at 4 pm: Championship Game at Central Park
Summer Worship ScheduleSunday Worship Services are at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm through the Labor Day weekend. A Lectionary Bible Study with the day’s preacher will precede the 10:30 am service at 9:15 am. Preaching ScheduleJune 25 - “A Stronghold in Trouble” - Dr. Anderson |
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